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Soothing Hands Body Therapy owner Tara has studied both Eastern and Western theories of massage, so it's fair to say she understands bodywork's potential benefits—improved circulation, lower blood pressure, and decreased stress. Her massages also target the lymphatic system, which defends the body against illness the way the Great Barrier Reef defends Australia against a dolphin D-day. Tara's three massage types—Swedish, hot-stone, and deep-tissue—take place in 60- and 90-minute increments.

At Massage Sanctuary, nationally certified massage therapist Brandon Woolard offers his clients the opportunity to relax and receive personalized massages in a soothing atmosphere. After initial consultations?complete with a box full of stress stones if customers need some preliminary unwinding?guests undress to their own comfort levels and fit between sheets, ready for calming massages. As he works, Brandon encourages his customers to speak up about comfort levels in case the heated table is too hot or the aromatherapy ostrich too pungent and squawking. Brandon soothes backs and muscles with a variety of modalities, incorporating Swedish, deep-tissue, sports, hot-stone, and aromatherapy methods into his massages. Afterward, complimentary mints and water rejuvenate the senses as customers, suspended in massage euphoria, go home, take hot baths or showers, and maintain relaxed states.

After medical retirement from the Navy, Tammy Frazier knew she wanted to do something in the healing arts. And as a mother of three, massage therapy was a perfect fit for her schedule. She's found a deep love for bringing people relief from pain and stress??the same pain and stress that she's suffered from herself. At Transformations Wellness Center, Tammy can promote relaxation with flowing Swedish strokes or use firmer deep-tissue techniques for focused healing. Prenatal massages during second and third trimester are also available.

The appendage attendants at DeStress Express spruce-up weathered digits with multistep nail treatments. The Open-Minded manicure and pedicure begins by immersing parched limbs in a warm soak before nail technicians prune overgrown cuticles. A scrub-fueled massage smoothes ashen skin and polish deposits decorate hands with less hassle than having them reupholstered. The Healing Ritual manicure and pedicure adds an extra step, following the massage with a creamy mask that infuses skin with rich moisture.

Massage therapists' deft hands ease relaxation into bodies via a range of modalities that help melt physical and emotional stress, detoxify the body, and diminish aches. The team at the studio strives to uproot embedded pain during massages and may recruit the soothing powers of hot stones to further assuage tension. To augment massages' therapeutic effects, they administer treatments such as hydrating scrubs, body wraps, and raindrop therapy?a noninvasive bodywork technique that harnesses aromatherapy to guide energy back into balance.